Surname Kottek - Meaning and Origin
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Kottek: What does the surname Kottek mean?
The last name Kottek is considered to be Germanic in origin. It is thought to be derived from the Middle High German "kottek," meaning a barrel-maker. In past centuries, the Kottek family likely consisted of artisan barrel-makers who specialized in making wood casks and other forms of liquid storage containers.
The Kottek family name is most commonly associated with the German provinces of Bavaria, Hesse and Thuringia. It has been found throughout Germany for centuries, with records of the name existing in archives since the 13th century.
The most notable bearer of the family name Kottek was Hermann Kottek, a 19th century craftsman who founded his own successful business manufacturing wooden containers in the Schwarzwald region, near the German-Swiss border. After years of success, Hermann's firm was eventually taken over by his sons, who ran it until the 1950s.
The Kottek family name may also be an occupational surname for those who were involved in any aspect of barrel-making, such as cooperages and cooper plates. This may also be the source of the Kottek name for those who hail from outside German-speaking countries.
In modern times, the name Kottek is often associated with high-quality craftsman and craftsmanship. The Kottek family name still rings true among those who participate in woodwork and carpentry and are admired for their high-quality work and dedication to detail.
Order DNA origin analysisKottek: Where does the name Kottek come from?
The last name Kottek is a unique and uncommon name, but it can be found in some parts of the world today.
Mostly in Germany, Austria and other parts of Europe where there are sizable German and Austrian populations. The name is derived from the Old Germanic elements ‘Kot’ meaning ‘cottage’ or ‘little house’ and the suffix ‘-ek’ meaning ‘son of’.
It is likely that the first person who used the surname was a son of someone who owned a cottage or lived in a rural setting. This is also a good indication as to why today it is mainly found in European regions with large populations of people of Germanic heritage.
In the United States, the surname is virtually non-existent, with only a handful of individuals (mostly migrants from Europe who have carried the name over across the country) that have still retained and passed down the surname.
Kottek is often Romanized as Kotek or Kottke in some countries, so if you are searching for individuals online, these can be useful keywords to use when looking.
Variations of the surname Kottek
The surname Kottek has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Kottak, Kottakk, and Kottack. These variants stem from the Middle High German "Kotek", which is derived from the word "Kot", meaning "cat". The surname is typically found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Other variants of this name include Cotek, Cottack, Koteck, and Kottik. This last variant is common in Russia, derived from the German origin of the name. In Poland, the name is typically spelled Kottak or Koteck. Dutch versions of the surname include Kotek, Kottel, Kotte, Kotter, Kotterman, and Kottman.
Nearly 1,500 people with the last name Kottek can be found in the United States. Variants in the US include Kottak, Kottakk, Kottack, Koteck, Kottik, Koteck, Cotek, and Cottack.
In addition to the variations above, there are several surnames that have a similar origin to Kottek including König, Katze, and Katz. This suggests that Kottek may have descended from people who took on an occupational name based on their work with cats (originally 'Kot' meaning “cat”).
Overall, the surname Kottek has various spellings and surnames of the same origin, with variants ranging from Kottak to Kottik, depending on the region and language in which the name is being used.
Famous people with the name Kottek
- Dominik Kottek: German professional footballer who currently plays for Union Berlin.
- Walther Kottek: German diplomat, philosopher, and artist who was one of the first to be recognised with the title of Diplomatic Philosopher.
- Victoria Kottek: German equestrian dressage rider and multi-time Olympian.
- Professor Dr. Thomas Kottek: German medical specialist in anaesthesiology, intensive medicine and pain therapy.
- Dr. Gunther Kottek: German professor of post-war history and international politics.
- Elisabeth Kottek: Austrian operatic soprano who made her professional debut in 1962 at the Vienna State Opera.
- Guido Kottek: German actor known for his work in German cinema of classic films.
- Alexander Kottek: Austrian actor and director best known for his work in the theatre.
- Billy Kottek: American musician and composer specialized in orchestra music.
- Andrea Kottek: Austrian operatic mezzo-soprano and highly acclaimed interpreter of German romantic opera.